January 23, 2023 7:00 pm
My friend Ruel attended a high school reunion held in a former classmate’s home. The waterfront mansion near Manila Bay could accommodate 200 attendees, and it made Ruel feel small.
“I’ve had many happy years of pastoring remote rural churches,” Ruel told me, “and even though I know I shouldn’t, I couldn’t help but feel envious of my classmate’s material wealth. My thoughts strayed to how different life might be if I’d used my degree to become a businessman instead.”
“But I later reminded myself there’s nothing to feel envious about,” Ruel continued with a smile. “I invested my life in serving God, and the results will last for eternity.” I’ll always remember the peaceful look on his face as he said those words.
Ruel drew peace from Jesus’ parables in Matthew 13:44−46. He knew that God’s kingdom is the ultimate treasure. Seeking and living for His kingdom might take various forms. For some, it might mean full-time ministry, while for others, it may be living out the gospel in a secular workplace. Regardless of how God chooses to use us, we can continue to trust and obey His leading, knowing, like the men in Jesus’ parables, the value of the imperishable treasure we’ve been given. Everything in this world has infinitely less worth than all we gain by following God (1 Peter 1:4−5).
Our life, when placed in His hands, can bear eternal fruit.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
Our Daily Bread Ministries
Various Hosts
Our Daily Bread Ministries
Various Hosts
Our Daily Bread Ministries
Various Hosts
Our Daily Bread Ministries
Various Hosts
Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread.
Our reading, titled No Loss, was written by Karen Wong. My friend Ruel attended a high school reunion held in a former classmate's home. The waterfront mansion near Manila Bay could accommodate 200 attendees, and it made Ruel feel small. I've had many happy years of pastoring remote rural churches, Ruel told me, and even though I know I shouldn't, I couldn't help but feel envious of my classmate's material wealth. My thoughts strayed to how different life might be if I'd used my degree to become a businessman instead. But I later reminded myself, there's nothing to feel envious about, Ruel continued with a smile. I invested my life in serving God, and the results will last for eternity. I'll always remember the peaceful look on his face as he said those words. Ruel drew peace from Jesus' parables in Matthew chapter 13, verses 44 through 46. He knew that God's kingdom is the ultimate treasure. Seeking and living for his kingdom might take various forms. For some, it might mean full-time ministry, while for others, it may be living out the gospel in a secular workplace. Regardless of how God chooses to use us, we can continue to trust and obey his leading, knowing, like the men in Jesus' parables, the value of the imperishable treasure we've been given. Everything in this world has infinitely less worth than all we gain by following God. Our life, when placed in his hands, can bear eternal fruit.
Today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading is from Matthew chapter 13, verses 44 through 46. The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.
When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. Let's pray. Father, let each day of our life be a celebration of the treasure we've found in you. In Jesus' name we pray, amen. Thanks for listening today. My name is Joyce Dinkins, and today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries.
Whisper: medium.en / 2023-01-25 01:38:41 / 2023-01-25 01:40:04 / 1
